For reference, $99 are like 85€ nowadays.

I think it's only Windows and Mac that are like that. Linux you can install just the steam-devices package for Valve hardware drivers.

each would be holding $99, innit?

Change my mind: Xbox-X controller are best controllers.

There is no absolute best controller, because everyones hands and preferences are different.

Xbox may be best, for you, and thats fine, its great you have a controller that fits your hand comfortably and plays well.

but, for example, for me? Dualshock/Dualsense controllers fit my hands better, and are more playable, because I prefer the symmetrical joystick layout, vs the asymmetrical of Xbox/Switch Pro.

I'm sure theres someone out there where the SNES style 8bitdo works and feels best for them, too.

I think we can, however, universally agree on prices being too expensive for all of them.

hull effect sticks are impossible due to them requiring a consistent output.

record skip

wat?

The downsides: due to replaceable AA battery, hull effect sticks are impossible due to them requiring a consistent output.

So basically it's the worst controller imaginable?

Stick placement is not really a factor for ergonomics for me. I had used an xbox controllers for a long time, but now I have a PS5 controller as my current go to. The biggest thing that makes a difference is shape and how it sits in your hands, and for me the PS5 controller is just simply better than the Xbox controller.

I think the best way I can describe the difference between the two is that to be comfortable the xbox controller sits on my fingers where as the PS5 controller sits in my palms. I can also throw in a few other examples of this, PS4 sits in my fingers, but also has the worlds worst and most uncomfortable triggers. The Switch pro controller sits mostly in my palms and is better than the xbox controller but only has digital triggers.

As for the battery, internal batteries are annoying if you can not replace them. According to gamers nexus you can tear down and replace the battery fairly easily in the steam controller, and apparently valve plan to work with iFixit again for spares. So I don't think this is a big difference either way because of the benefits you get from having the higher powered internal battery.

That also leads to by far the biggest pro. Repair-ability. The steam controller if it is supported like the steam deck is just going to be better.

No trackpads so not entirely better, but the Gulikit Es Pro are a lot cheaper.

Happy with 8bitdo. Haptics are great.

I recommend the GameSir Super Nova. Probably the best controller I've ever used. Not really expensive; costs a little less than standard Xbox/PS controllers in my country. Works on all platforms and comes with a very nice charging dock.

A note for any Windows users. The controller works flawlessly out of the box on Linux, but I've been running into issues when trying it on my Windows work machine. For some reason it doesn't work with the wireless receiver plugged into the charging dock, only with the receiver directly in the PC. Their Windows app doesn't seem to fix the issue, but offers quite a few customization options.

I'm quite happy with my 8BitDo 2 Ultimate, which has many features of the Steam Controller like TMR sticks, 4 extra rear buttons and gyro and has a better polling rate at 1000 Hz and is cheaper (~$56). It does however lack the track pads and advanced haptic feedback of the Steam Controller.

If anything, more reviews should lower the score for shitty software.

I love the OG Steam Controller, and I'm getting the new one for sure, but requirement to use Steam for full functionality is a massive downside.

"I don't want a steam account" should be perfectly justifiable reason in itself. There is no technical reason why they can't split up steam input from the steam client for base functionality.